Can Sakkari break Grand Slam duck?
Can Sakkari break Grand Slam duck?
The last 12 months have seen Maria Sakkari take one step forward, only to then find herself treading two in the opposite direction. On the grandest of stages, any positive progress has all too often been countered by moments of infuriating regression.
A memorable 2021 season saw the Greek star reach semi-finals at the French and US Opens, while bowing out early in Australia and at Wimbledon. Fast forward a year and personal best returns have been matched in Melbourne and South West London.
Unfortunately, Sakkari found herself dumped out in the second round at Roland Garros, with dreams of delivering on clay quickly dashed, and momentum is not on her side heading into the final Grand Slam of 2022.
Ultimate glory
Attention is turning towards New York once more, but tennis US Open odds have Sakkari priced at +2200 for ultimate glory as she clings to a spot just inside the top 10 of a fiercely competitive market. Her world ranking and recent showings at Flushing Meadows suggest that she should be a little shorter.
To sit third on a global rundown of the finest talents in women’s tennis suggests that serious bids should be lodged for the most prestigious of prizes. Clearing final hurdles is, however, proving problematic.
A run to the final of Indian Wells hinted at a second title of a promising career being claimed, but major silverware slipped agonizingly out of reach. After making history as the first Greek woman to reach the season-ending WTA Finals in 2021, she suffered another last-four defeat.
Sakkari will be desperate to avoid becoming a tale of what could have been, with history quick to forget about those that came close to achieving greatness, but never quite close enough.
In many ways, given that two unseeded stars made the final, the 2021 US Open could be viewed as a serious missed opportunity. After all, what are the chances of established performers fluffing their lines two years in a row and allowing such a window of opportunity to swing open once again?
If it does, then Sakkari must ensure that she is ready to pounce.
Big Apple
They say that New York is a city that makes dreams come true, where anybody can succeed and enjoy 15 minutes of fame with the right mix of ability, attitude and application. Sakkari will be hoping to see her star shine for much longer than that, but she must first ensure that she fires into orbit.
The eventual winner dashed her dreams 12 months ago, but the notable scalps of two Czech stars in the form of Petra Kvitova and Karolina Pliskova were claimed en route to the semi-finals as markers of what the Greek star is capable of were put down.
Sakkari has already stumbled on French soil after suggesting that she was a potential champion in waiting there and the challenge now is to ensure that a similar story does not unfold in New York. With fond memories to fall back on and the ability unquestionably there, a Grand Slam duck may yet be broken in the Big Apple.